In this episode of The Care Circle powered by Motherhood Hospitals, host Snehaa is joined by Dr. Neeraj Kumar, Medical Director at Motherhood Chaitanya Hospital, Sec 44,Chandigarh. With nearly three decades of experience in the field of paediatrics, Dr. Neeraj explains why vaccines remain essential even when diseases seem invisible, and how small immunity gaps can lead to dangerous resurgences.
Together, they unpack common vaccination myths, the real impact of delaying or missing doses, and how catch-up schedules help restore protection. The coversation also covers the full childhood immunisation journey, from birth vaccines to flu, HPV and RSV protection, while also addressing concerns around social media misinformation, safety, and parental anxiety.
This episode also offers clarity, confidence and science-backed reassurance, empowering parents to make informed decisions and protect their child’s health today and in the years to come.
Key Takeaways:
Here are the key points you shouldn’t miss from this episode:
- Vaccines are the reason that many life-threatening childhood diseases are seen less today.
- Vaccines train a child’s immune system to recognise and fight infections before they happen, preventing severe illnesses
- Even if a disease isn’t visible around us, viruses are still present and can resurface when immunity drops.
- Vaccinations protect not just one child, but also infants, elderly family members and immunocompromised individuals.
- Skipping or delaying vaccines increases the risk of diseases for both the child and the community.
- “Optional” vaccines are still important and provide protection against common and severe diseases.
- Natural immunity often comes with serious complications, whereas vaccines build protection safely.
- Annual flu vaccination is important for children and caregivers to reduce severe respiratory infections.
- Newer preventive options like RSV protection can significantly reduce hospitalisation in infants.
- Consulting a trusted paediatrician ensures accurate guidance and personalised vaccination planning.
- Social media misinformation is a growing reason for vaccine hesitancy, but vaccines remain to be one of the most researched medical interventions worldwide.
Dr. Neeraj Kumar
Medical Director, Motherhood Chaitanya Hospital, Chandigarh
0:16 – Intro: Child Immunisation
0:50 – Host’s Introduction
2:22 – Why vaccines matter?
4:29 – Myths vs Facts
7:24 – Social media spreads misinformation about vaccine
9:09 – What happens if you delay a vaccine?
10:34 – Rapid fire round
15:59 – Understanding the vaccine schedule
18:32 – Vaccines that save lives
18:56 – The flu vaccine and universal protection
20:38 – The Cervical (HPV) Vaccine
22:44 – New RSV vaccine for babies, Nirsevimab (Beyfortus)
24:18 – Top-priority vaccines for every child
25:20 – CTA #2 (Host)
25:40 – The takeaway
26:18 – Closing and outro: guidance
Snehaa: If you have ever delayed a vaccine because your child had a cold, wondered whether all those injections are really needed, or worried that too many shots might overload your baby, this episode is for you.
Hello, and welcome to the Care Circle, a podcast series by Motherhood Hospitals that brings clarity to women’s and children’s health and fertility topics that are often misunderstood or surrounded by myths. I’m your host, Snehaa and today we are talking about something that protects every child’s tomorrow and that’s called vaccinations.
Joining me today is someone who truly represents that care in paediatrics means not just in treatment but in heart. Dr Neeraj Kumar, Medical Director at Motherhood Chaitanya Hospital, Chandigarh, brings over three decades of experience in the field of paediatrics. He has spent his career shaping the landscape of newborn and child health, but what truly stands out is his philosophy that a paediatrician must first be an excellent counsellor because when a child falls ill, the entire family feels the pain.
His calm reassurance has guided so many parents through worry, fear, and recovery. Under his leadership, Motherhood Chaitanya Hospital has been internationally recognised among the top 150 paediatric hospitals, a reflection of his relentless pursuit of quality and compassion in healthcare. Dr. Neeraj, welcome to The Care Circle, and it’s a pleasure to have you with us today.
Dr Neeraj : Hello, Snehaa and greetings to our listeners. Vaccination is a classic example of how scientific development has impacted our day-to-day life, and sustained use of vaccines over more than five decades has really helped in improving the health of society and saved millions of children from so many infectious diseases. So, I’m eager to participate in today’s discussion.
Snehaa: Thank you so much, doctor. It’s great to have you here with us today.
So, Dr Neeraj, let’s start from the very beginning.
Why are vaccines so important for children today when many of the older diseases seem to have disappeared?
Dr Neeraj: So, basically, vaccines protect against so many serious diseases. Pneumonia, brain infection, polio, tetanus, loose motions, diarrhoea, and, of course, the incidence of these diseases we have seen has reduced over time, but that is because of the proper use of these vaccines. But it doesn’t mean that these diseases have gone away completely.
You know, they are kind of latent and hidden, and they’re looking for an opportunity to come back if there is any relaxation in the vaccination coverage. So, that is why it is all the more important that we continue vaccinations so that this immunity, this gain which we have got over so many years, is maintained and doesn’t lead to again, we have seen in COVID, when the vaccination coverage had fallen, so many diseases came back. So, it is very important that vaccination is maintained.
Snehaa: So, doctor, you think that even if a disease isn’t visible around us anymore, but the threat still exists, right?
Dr Neeraj: Yes, absolutely. See, I’ll give you a classic example of polio. In India, the last case was seen in 2014.But we know that in our neighbouring countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan, there are still a few cases which are seen occasionally. So, anytime , because there is so much travel there, so anytime the disease can come back to India. So, that is why till the disease gets eradicated from the whole world, that only disease that is there is smallpox, which has been eradicated from the whole world, that is why the smallpox vaccine was discontinued.Otherwise, till it is present in any of the countries in the world, we have to continue.
Snehaa: That’s powerful. Vaccines are not just protection for one child, but for an entire community, as said by Dr Neeraj.
So,Dr Neeraj, let’s burst some common myths and discuss some facts which circulate amongst a lot of parents, doctor. The first sentence is that too many vaccines too soon can weaken a baby’s immunity. What do you have to say about it?
Dr Neeraj: See, this concept of too many vaccines we, you know, go into depth, there are vaccines available hardly for around 15 diseases.So, why too many concepts are there It’s because previously the vaccine’s availability was very less, but with scientific progress, now the number of vaccines or diseases which are being protected by vaccines has increased. So, in fact, we should be happy that more and more diseases are being protected and we are eagerly, you know, as a medical community, also, we are eagerly looking forward to more vaccines. For example, you know, dengue, malaria, so many killer diseases are there for which vaccines have not been there.
And, you know, these vaccines are called antigens. A child in a day is exposed to thousands of antigens daily. So, these vaccines of a few antigens cannot do any harm.
In fact, a child or a person can easily tolerate and make use of these (5:48) vaccines once they are administered.
Snehaa: The second one is, doctor, it’s better if my child builds natural immunity by getting the disease once. Is it a myth or a fact?
Dr Neeraj: See, basically, if you suffer from a disease, there are so many other things which happen.If a child suffers from a disease his health goes down. He has to be hospitalised. So many complications can happen. Some diseases can lead to death and disability, also. So, it is not a good trade-off. Once we have effective vaccines, why wait for the disease to happen? Because many diseases are not treatable also.
Snehaa: So, it is always better that we protect the child with a vaccination rather than wait for the natural disease. And the one we still hear the most is that vaccines cause autism. Is it a myth or a fact, doctor?
Dr Neeraj: You know, it is a classical case that lies travel faster than truth, and they seem to stick also.Because this happened more than two decades back, that there was a study which was later proven to be fraudulent. And even the doctor who conducted that study, his licence was cancelled for practice and all. And after that, so many studies have been done to disprove this.And now, the scientific community is fully clear that there is no relationship between autism and any vaccination. So, parents should be rest assured about this. So, as per our expert, it’s the request to all parents that they can confidently vaccinate their children without any fear.
Snehaa : Dr Neeraj, these days, many parents turn to social media for health and often come across posts claiming that vaccines are unnecessary or even harmful. Because of that, some start to doubt whether their child really needs all those vaccines. What’s your take on this growing trend?
Dr Neeraj: I would say social media is something which cannot be escaped now and it acts as a double-edged sword. It is helpful in many cases, but it can also give some wrong information . So, it is the responsibility of the parents to identify the correct resources from where they get the information.
So, it should not be non-medical people who are telling or non-credible sources. Most of the healthcare associations like WHO, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, and many hospitals and doctors also have credible social media presence from where parents can take the information. And if there is any doubt, then they should talk to the paediatrician.
Regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, parents should not have any doubt at all. Because these vaccines are thoroughly researched for their safety and efficacy, and then only they are released in the market for usage. And after it comes in the market, there is a strong post-marketing surveillance which is going on in case of any untoward side effects.
So, what I’ll say is that it uses only those sites which are scientifically credible. And you know, what I say is that no algorithm can replace your paediatrician.
Snehaa: That’s such an important point. Parents need trustworthy science-backed information and not any social media myths. Now, what if parents miss or delay a vaccine? Maybe the child was sick, or they are travelling. What do you have to say about that, doctor?
Dr Neeraj: So, basically, delay should be the last resort. But if in any situation there is a delay, then it is better late than never. So, vaccination should be completed. There’s no need to repeat the previous doses which have been given. Our body has a very good memory. So, that is why the previous doses are continued, and it is called catch-up vaccination. So, further vaccination should be continued as planned before. But you know, we know that any delay makes a child prone to getting that infection. So, the delay should be minimal. So, the golden rule is don’t skip, just catch up.Talk to your paediatrician right away, and they will help you get back on track easily.
Snehaa: And if you have missed a scheduled vaccine or aren’t sure which ones your child still needs, don’t wait. Early action keeps your child protected.Visit www.motherhoodindia.com to book an appointment with our experts. Or as I always say, you can also book through the Motherhood Care App or call us at 9620396203.
Snehaa: Dr Neeraj, before we dive and discuss specific vaccines, I want to take a moment to address some quick but very common questions parents keep asking.
Let’s do a rapid-fire round to clear those doubts once and for all. So, the first question to you is :
Do we need to postpone vaccinations if the child is unwell?
Dr Neeraj: No. Basically, if a child has a mild disease only, a slight cough, cold or low-grade fever then vaccines need not be postponed.But if it is a serious disease, if a child is very uncomfortable or the doctor feels that the child is not fit enough to get the vaccine or will not be able to show an adequate response, then in that case only it should be delayed.
Snehaa: The second question is, what is the concept of mandatory versus optional vaccines? Are optional vaccines less important?
Dr Neeraj: You know, this creates a lot of confusion and unfortunately,the term optional is used in India only and nowhere else. Basically, there is a list of recommended vaccinations which are recommended by professional bodies, and there are then a few vaccines which are given by the government in their dispensaries as a free supply.
So, those which are given in the government setups are called mandatory, and those which are not given in the government setup are called optional. What we have to understand is, options are not unnecessary or optional are not unimportant. They are recommended; they protect against serious diseases.
It is only because the government has to consider the public as a whole. I will tell you that many optional vaccines , many vaccines which were optional 10 years back, now the government has included them in the mandatory list. These pneumococcal vaccines, rotavirus vaccines.
So, in short, what I will say is that all vaccines are important. The option is only because the government is not giving it for free in their dispensaries, but if possible, parents should give all the vaccines to their children.
Snehaa: Do children need a tetanus vaccine after an injury, Dr Neeraj? See, basically, tetanus protection is included in the routine vaccination.
Dr Neeraj: The first three doses which are given in the first year, then there is a booster given at one and a half years, five years, 10 years. So, the child is protected against tetanus through routine immunisation. But somehow this concept is still not clear with the public as well as many doctors also.And despite complete vaccination, after three or six months, if a child has an injury, so again it is given, but it is not required. So, at least for five years after a dose of TT, a tetanus is not required after injury. It is only beyond five years if the last dose was given, then only a booster is required.
Snehaa: Got it, Dr. Neeraj. Do families with pets need preventive anti-rabies vaccines?
Dr Neeraj: Now, this is an upcoming concept because the number of families who are keeping pets is increasing. And we are seeing an increasing number of cases where pets have bitten the family members. Now, of course, pets may be vaccinated, but we know that anything is not 100% foolproof. So, that means even if a pet has been vaccinated, the protection may not be 100% and that pet can also transmit disease. So, medically it is advisable that even if it is a bite by a pet, it should be managed the same way and vaccination should be given the same way.
And now, since it is becoming very common, the concept of preventive vaccination for family members who have pets in their families is coming up in a big way. How it helps is that already the vaccine has been taken, then if there is a bite, then either you may not require a vaccine or a very few doses are required. And secondly, if it is not vaccinated, then if there is a deep injury, there is a very painful and costly injection which is given at the bite site also.
So, that also is not required if a preventive vaccination has been taken. So, in a nutshell, it is now recommended that those who are keeping pets, it is better to get a preventive anti-rabies vaccine.
Snehaa: Understood, doctor.The last rapid-fire question to you is what precautions should parents take before and after a vaccination is done?
Dr Neeraj: Yeah, it is important. See, basically, when you come for the vaccination, you should be very open and transparent with your doctor in telling them if the child is suffering from any disease or if the child had any side effect to any previous vaccination. And of course, you should bring your vaccination chart and all so that it is clear which vaccines are to be given and after vaccination, though we know that chances of side effects are very less, it is advisable that for 15 to 30 minutes, you should stay in the clinic or the hospital to manage any untoward if anything happens. And secondly, of course, some minor side effects like fever and pain should be managed with the paracetamol or some ice packing and all can be done. Of course, if a high fever is there, if the child is not looking well, then you should report back to the doctor with whom the vaccination has been done.
Snehaa: Now, doctor, let us help parents decode the vaccination chart and we all know that it looks very overwhelming. Could you take us through the main vaccines according to the age group, doctor?
Dr Neeraj: Sure. So, you know, at the time of birth, before discharge of the baby, BCG,hepatitis B and polio drops are given.BCG is given on the left shoulder. It is for prevention of tuberculosis and hepatitis B vaccine is against a liver infection, which can be very serious if it happens. And of course, polio.This will not cause any side effects. BCG site after four to six weeks will have some pimples and all, but it will not need any treatment for that. Then at 6, 10 and 14 weeks, vaccines are given in which you have DPT vaccine, polio vaccine, HIB, pneumococcal and rotavirus. So, basically these are for prevention of serious diseases. (Diphtheria, which is in common language, a throat infection, which is very severe. Pertussis is what we say is whooping cough or Kaalikhansi.
Tetanus, T is tetanus. Hib and pneumococcal, are bacterias which cause serious diseases like pneumonia and brain infection, which is called meningitis. So, protection against that.
And rotavirus is the commonest cause of severe diarrhoea or stomach infections in young children. So, these vaccines are given in this age group. Then after six months of age, flu vaccination and typhoid vaccine is recommended.
And at nine months, then MMR vaccine is given, which is for protection of measles, mumps and rubella. Then between 12 to 15 months, vaccines for hepatitis A, which is another form of liver disease and chicken pox is recommended. And after 15 to 18 months, then the boosters of pneumococcal as well as DPT, Hib and polio are given.
After that at five years of age, again the boosters of DPT and polio are given. And then at 10 years, additional tetanus vaccine as well as HPV vaccine, which I am sure we will discuss and further are recommended. So, briefly this is the schedule which is recommended by professional bodies.
Snehaa: That is so much clearer when said aloud. And doctor, these vaccines have been proven to prevent all the serious illnesses, right?
Dr Neeraj: Absolutely. So, they, as I mentioned before, come after a lot of research into their efficacy as well as side effects.And once they are considered safe, effective, then only they come in the market.
Snehaa: Understood, doctor. Now, doctor, when you have discussed the flu shot in this question, now my next question to you is many parents skip this flu shot thinking that it’s unnecessary.How important is the flu shot today? If you can explain a bit more about it.
Dr Neeraj: So, flu, you know, common language, we say viral infections. So, viruses are of different types.
Of course, common viruses may not cause a serious side effect, but these viruses can cause serious effects of the lungs, which cause pneumonia, of the brain, which cause encephalitis. So, these viruses can also cause serious diseases. You know, even swine flu, COVID, all these are infections.
So, it is important as the incidence of other infections with the regular vaccinations is now reducing. We are finding that most of the children, the common disease now is virus infections. And then, you know, after six months of age, as they start going out, then later on, they go to school, they are more prone to get viral infections.
So, that is why, you know, these virus infections should be protected by giving viral diseases. Another thing to be noted is that because the type of virus changes every year, so every year a new formulation is made. So, that is why flu vaccine is recommended every year, preferably before the start of monsoons, especially in high-risk age groups, that means children up to five to seven years of age, or older age group, or pregnant women, or children or adults who are suffering from some diseases like asthma, heart disease, diabetes, it is all the more important that they should get regular flu vaccination.
Snehaa: So, doctor, you are saying that it’s a universal vaccine. It’s not only for children, but everybody can take it, right?
Dr Neeraj: Absolutely, especially those who have higher risk. You know, abroad, all flu shots are a very common thing which is used by all the population, if you go to the developed countries.
Snehaa: Understood, doctor. Now, Dr. Neeraj, one vaccine is getting a lot of attention lately, and that is the cervical vaccine, or what we call HPV vaccine. Parents usually assume it’s only for adults. When should it be given, if you can throw some light on that?
Dr Neeraj: HPV, you know, it is a remarkable vaccine, because it is the only vaccine which can prevent so many cancers. So, it is not only for cervical or the uterus cancer is the commonest cancer, but it is protecting against cervical as well as other cancers of males as well as females, which are related to genital areas as well as throat and oral cavity. So, it is considered that it protects against six types of cancers.
And the recommended age to give this vaccine is between 9 to 12 years, because the effect is best at this age, and the number of doses given are also required are also less in this age. Of course, later on, if a child is not able to get it before 15 years of age, then it can be continued or can be given later on as a catch-up vaccine till 26 years of age and in women, sometimes till 45 years of age. Another thing to understand is that it is now a gender-neutral vaccine.
Previously, because of the high incidence of cervical cancer, it was given to girls only, but now it is recommended for boys also.
Snehaa: That means giving it early means lifelong protection from one of the deadliest yet preventable cancers. And Dr Neeraj has pointed out a very nice thing. The HPV vaccine isn’t just a girl’s vaccine; it’s protection for everyone and a step towards a healthier future generation.
Snehaa: Also, doctor, there is a new RSV vaccine for babies. Correct me if I’m wrong. If I’m pronouncing the vaccine’s name correctly, it’s called Nirsemi-Mav, or we can call it Beportose. Should parents consider it?
Dr Neeraj: Yes. So basically, RSV is a kind of virus, which is one of the commonest causes of lung infections in children till around one year of age. And we see so many babies admitted to our ICUs who have this infection. And like any virus infection, many RSV also don’t have any specific treatment or cure. So that is why the morbidity as well as mortality is very high. So this vaccine has recently become available, and it should be preferred by all infants.
That means babies who are less than eight months of age, it is recommended. But especially it is more important for those who have had a disease during the neonatal period, who were admitted to the neonatal ICU, who were premature, having any of the diseases requiring ICU care, because they are more prone to get this infection as well as develop complications. It is a costly vaccine, but it requires only one dose, and it is better if at least high-risk babies take it.
Snehaa: That’s some good insights we got from you, Dr Neeraj. Now my next question is, if you had to pick the absolute must-have vaccines, the ones parents should never skip, what would they be?
Dr Neeraj: It’s something like, you know, you are telling us which disease parents are willing to get their child to get. So all vaccines are important.
All vaccines are important. I am sure you know, parents will not like their child to suffer from any disease. And, you know, at this point, because many of the vaccines are available in government also, so even financially, if there is a challenge in the family, it should not be that the child is not being given vaccines.
So all vaccines are important. All vaccines protect against serious diseases, many of which, you know, can cause death or long-term complications. So there’s nothing to choose between.
All parents are advised to give all vaccines to their babies as much as possible. So those form the backbone of childhood protection. If any of this resonates with you, maybe you have missed a dose or your child hasn’t had a flu or HPV shot yet. Don’t wait.
Early protection makes all the difference. Visit www.motherhoodindia.com to book your appointment or use the Motherhood Care ap,p or simply call 9620396203 to speak with our team today.
Snehaa: Dr Neeraj, what’s the one message you would like every parent to remember?
Dr Neeraj: So, you know, vaccination is one of the best investments which a parent can make for the physical and mental health of their child, so that, you know, the child can grow into a healthy adult, can achieve his or her potential to the fullest.
And don’t go by various myths or various misinformation which is there, which can, you know, sometimes hold back by giving these vaccinations. So give these vaccines, trust in these vaccines, trust in science and give a healthy future to your child.
Snehaa: Beautifully said. Thank you so much, Dr Neeraj, for simplifying something that feels overwhelming for so many parents. Your clarity, your reassurance and your decades of experience truly make a difference. Thank you.
Dr Neeraj: Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Thank you.
Snehaa: To all our listeners, remember this- vaccines are not just injections, they are protection. They are your child’s first shield against diseases that we never want to face, and remember to always speak to your paediatrician if you are ever unsure. Now, this brings us to the end of today’s episode of the Care Circle. If you found this useful, don’t forget to follow us on Spotify, share this episode with another parent and explore our other conversations on women and children’s health.
Until next time, stay informed, stay protected and take care.
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